I always held true to the saying that if you start a quilt on one DSM, you should continue to piece on ONLY that machine. Piecing a tumble block has to be so accurate, I wouldn't risk it especially with the bulk produced by a serger. I would just make sure that all my pieces were cut and ready to start piecing when you DSM comes home from being serviced. Welcome to the board.

Welcome to the Quilting Board.

What an interesting question. Something I never would have thought of. If I didn't have a back up machine, I would be piecing by hand while I'm waiting on my machine to return.

Welcome! You'll get a lot of good advice and information here. I have learned so much. Three weeks is a long time to have a machine in for repair. Anytime I've taken mine in it's been a matter of days not weeks. A friend took hers in for repair (timing was off) and they fixed it while she went to lunch because she had driven a long distance to get there. She had called ahead. If you really like this repair person then stick with them but I think that is a longer time than normal for a machine repair unless they are waiting on parts.

I've never waited more than 1 week usually less. The last time I was told 2 weeks but took only 1. The workroom at the dealer is usually packed with machines. I think there is 1 repairman and the owner. I saw a sales person working on a machine also. He's the best.

I didn't ask them if they had loaners. Last time i took it to them they told me 2 weeks and it was more like 4 weeks, but they did a great job and didn't overcharge me. There is no other place around other than independent people and i was burned by one of them before. This shop i took it to is a 45 minute drive away. The nearest fabric shop is 30 minutes away in the next state. I think it's safe to say that there aren't too many other people who sew around me. We did have a Jo-Ann's that was very close but it was only there for a couple of years. Not enough business.

Do a search on your local Craigs List to find a cheap, back up machine.

I have a featherweight as a backup machine. It's lightweight to take to classes as well. I use "Little Foot" quarter inch for featherweights and checked to be sure it's quarter inch matched the quarter inch sewn by my Bernina 880. They matched! I was so relieved I didn't have to make any special adjustments to switch from one Machine to the other. Did the happy dance after I checked it out.

MY backup machine is invaluable. My main machine is in the shop at present and I use my backup not only at this time but it is light weight and I take it to my quilt group on a regular basis.

I would love a backup but I'm saving for a modern machine though so i may wait and just use my current 1996 Baby Lock as a back up once i can get a new machine. I've been eyeing the Crescendo but that is a couple of years away.

To the repair shop -- BUT>>>>>>>
Hi...and welcome to the board.
You probably already know this, but i'm going to toss it out there anyway. My machine started to do exactly the same thing a few years ago - i took it to my local shop - and all that it needed was the lint cleaned out of the bobbin case. There was A LOT of lint. Dumb me - i was sewing faux suede at the time and just never thought of it. Just a thought.